Free Loving Rowan by Ariadne Wayne Page A

closed my eyes in the bathroom cubicle, trying to get it over with as quickly as I could, the memory of seeing Rowan half naked spurring me on. What I wouldn’t give to have her with me, her mouth on me.
    Relieved of my burden, I left the bathroom, ready for round two. I had no idea how I would cope with the rest of the night.
    Andrew was waiting for me outside.
    “What the hell are you doing?” he asked.
    I raised an eyebrow. Surely he didn’t know what I’d just been up to. “What are you talking about?”
    “Rowan is off limits. She doesn’t need anyone like you around to use her and make her feel like crap.”
    I laughed. “Oh, really? I guess you considered her feelings when you were sneaking around with Charlie, and all but ignoring her when it came to your wedding.”
    “I cared about how she would feel, yes. I’m sorry she found out the way she did, but I knew she had feelings for me. She still does.”
    “I would say that a lot of that is gone after today. Especially tucked halfway down the church, out of the way. Would it have been too much for you and your new wife to include her? You two are supposed to be her best friends.”
    “We are her best friends. Which is why I’m telling you to stay away from her. I know what guys like you do to girls like Rowan.”
    I took a deep breath. That urge to punch him in the face? Well, it was stronger than ever right now.
    “Guys like what? Guys that actually care about her? Guys that aren’t you? You have no idea how much I care about Rowan. Maybe you would, if you weren’t such a shitty friend to her. So you’re allowed to do whatever you like with whoever you like and she gets what? Neglected? Left alone until you feel like dangling a carrot? At least she doesn’t have to worry about me sneaking around behind her back, telling her lies.”
    He rubbed his jaw, and I wondered if I could press him enough to punch me.
    “Rowan and I have been best friends since we were born. You don’t get to come between us.” He poked me with his index finger as if to drive the point home. I was so close to losing it with him.
    “I don’t need to come between you. You’ve driven her away. Just keep on doing what you’re doing, and I can guarantee she’ll want nothing more to do with you. She’s not stupid, Andrew.”
    I turned and walked away from him. What a load of crap. On the day he dedicates his life to Charlie, here he was trying to keep Rowan tied to him too. I’d show him; I would take her away and treat her like the amazing woman she was. No lies, no holding anything back. One day we would have our own wedding, and I had no intention of inviting him or Charlie. Screw them.
    Rowan stood with Charlie when I returned to the room, and I could see Charlie talking while Rowan just stood there. The light that had shone in her eyes as we danced was gone, but I saw a small smile when she spotted me heading towards them.
    I grabbed hold of her, pulling her to me as I looked into those beautiful eyes. They widened in surprise and I kissed her, feeling her soft lips against mine, ignoring Charlie staring at us as I probed Rowan’s mouth with my tongue.
    She stiffened before relaxing in my arms, and I was sure she was kissing me in return. I ran my hand down her back until it rested just above her butt.
    “Hey,” I said softly, breaking away from the kiss. Her eyes were closed and when she opened them, I saw something different, new emotions. Maybe I’d broken through. I kissed her nose, grinning at the thought of more kisses like that.
    “Kyle,” she whispered, reaching up to touch my cheek with the palm of her hand.
    I looked up at Charlie. She was gaping at what had just happened. “Congratulations, Charlie. I hope today was everything you wanted it to be.”
    “I … I … it was perfect,” she stammered.
    I looked back at Rowan. She had this dazed look on her face. “How about we go and get a drink.”
    She nodded. There was a gleam in her eye that I